King Seeley Thermos Wagon Train lunchbox

The King Seeley Thermos Wagon Train lunchbox is a vintage lunchbox based on the popular U.S television Western ‘Wagon Train’.

Background

‘Wagon Train’ is a U.S television show following the adventures of a wagon train travelling West from Missouri to California in the late 1800s. It ran for 8 seasons and 284 episodes, originally debuting on NBC in 1957 before switching to ABC in 1962. The final episode aired in May 1965, although the show has remained in syndication ever since.

The show produced a range of tie-in toys and merchandise including a playset manufactured by Marx Toys, plastic guns and holsters, a Milton Bradley board game and a lunchbox made in 1964 by King Seeley Thermos.

The King Seeley Thermos Wagon Train lunchbox

The box has a red border and handle, with yellow panels on the sides. The front of the box shows the lead wagon travelling through the desert, whilst the reverse depicts one of the characters on horseback, firing his gun at a group of chasing Native American Indians.

The graphics on the sides of the box feature cowboy-related items such as a hat, spurs, cowboy boots, a gun and holster, a whip and a water canteen. These graphics are also repeated on the matching thermos flask.

This side-panel artwork is identical to that used on the earlier 1961 King Seeley Thermos Lawman lunchbox.

How much is a King Seeley Thermos Wagon Train lunchbox worth?

As with most boxes based on television Westerns from the 1960s, such as ‘The Rifleman’ and Gunsmoke, the Wagon Train lunchbox is highly sought after by collectors.

Boxes in top condition, complete with their flasks, can sell for up to $150 on eBay whilst boxes on their own can still fetch $40 - $100 depending on wear and tear such as rust, dents and scratches.